Cattle producers from Chattooga County and the surrounding area are taking part in an eight-week educational program designed to provide practical information on managing and improving beef cattle operations.

The Fall 2026 Master Cattlemen’s Program is being held at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville through early November.

The program is offered through University of Georgia Cooperative Extension and brings specialists together with cattle producers for sessions covering animal health, nutrition, reproduction, forage management and other issues affecting beef operations.

The latest session was held Monday evening and focused on herd health management, led by Dr. Brad Heins.

Four sessions remain in the program.

On Monday, October 12, producers will learn about external parasite control and cattle-handling facilities.

The October 19 session will focus on cattle evaluation and selection, including considerations producers can use when making decisions about animals entering or remaining in their herds.

Reproductive management will be the subject of the October 26 meeting, followed by the final session on forage management November 2.

The Master Cattlemen’s Program is designed to provide cattle producers with research-based information they can apply to their individual operations.

Beef cattle remain an important part of Georgia agriculture, particularly in rural areas of Northwest Georgia where pasture and cattle operations are common.

The program also gives producers an opportunity to hear directly from UGA specialists and ask questions about issues they may be encountering on their own farms.

Classes are being held Monday evenings at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center in Summerville.

Sources:

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
UGA Department of Animal and Dairy Science — Master Cattlemen’s Program